MONROVIA – The long-running crisis at the United Methodist Church which seems to threaten the foundation of one of Liberia’s founding churches has now claimed the attention of the Liberia Senate which placed on its 13th Day Sitting, 2nd Session Agenda a communication from River Cess County Senator Wellington Geevon Smith requesting the appearance of Justice Minister Oswald Tweh.
According to the proponent of the communication, Senator Smith believes the appearance of the Justice Minister is important in bringing sanity to the UMC conflict which has made the church ungovernable, as divisions among two opposing factions have degenerated to fisticuffs, and the temporary detention of one of the country’s revered clerics, Reverend Dr. Jerry Kulah of the 72nd Methodist Church last Sunday.
Addressing Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and his colleague senators, Senator Geevon Smith lamented the deteriorating UMC crisis because, according to him, it has shaken one of the three organs of the state, which is religion.
“Madam Pro Tempore, Senators, the state constitutes three pillars: the government, religion and tradition or culture. The three institutions of the state are guided by the organic law of the state, the Constitution. In Liberia, as a country we have not sanctioned same-sex marriage. Quite recently, one of the three organs of the state is in conflict, specifically the United Methodist Church, one of the pioneer churches of the founding of this state.
“The disagreement over same-sex marriage went to the extent where physical fights have been taking place, even compelling the Liberia National Police to go in this gone Sunday and temporarily detain one of the country’s known clergy, Rev. Jerry Kulah.
“I wrote the communication to seek your indulgence for the Minister of Justice to come, because in my mind, the continuous report of conflict in the Methodist Church on this issue raises two concerns. 1. Is the practice of same-sex marriage going on in the church? 2. Since the issue of same-sex is against our constitution, if the government hears all the time that such practice has created confusion in the church, is the government’s silence an endorsement of the existence of same-sex or the violation of the constitution?
“The only person that can answer that question is the Minister of Justice. Let the Minister of Justice appear,” Senator Smith pleaded passionately.
As for Montserrado County Abrahim Darius Dillon, the senate must treat the UMC conflict with urgency as it has the propensity to deteriorate beyond control.
“If we don’t do anything this week, Sunday is coming again. We must be seized of this matter this week, so that Sunday will not meet this matter pending. The Committee must act this week to report to this body on Tuesday. They must summon those authorities this week,” Senator Dillon said.
But taking an exception to movant Dillon’s statement, Maryland County Senator J. Gbleh-bo Brown requested that instead of the UMC issue being relegated to a committee deliberation, the senate leadership itself must instead take charge of the matter.
“I agree with the movant that the situation in the church is indeed serious. Given the sensitivity of the issue, my unreadiness is that the leadership of the senate must take charge of this matter, and not this committee. Let the leadership of the senate call the concerned parties,” Senator Brown said.
Pro Tempore Lawrence then adjourned hearing into the UMC issue raised in Senator Smith communication with a mandate for the committee to report back to session next Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Pro Tempore Lawrence’s office later assured that the Liberian Senate under the leadership of Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence intervention has ensured a resolution of the long standing fight within the Church and to particularly protect the constitution and laws of Liberia.
Meanwhile, Grand Bassa County District #4 Representative Alfred H. Flomo has condemned the recent crisis surrounding same-sex marriage at the United Methodist Church.
Representative Flomo railed at UMC authorities that are supporting same sex marriage and warned them that the 55th Legislature will never tolerate any discussions pertaining to homosexuality or lesbianism.
It can be recalled that the United Methodist Church has been in a long-drawn wrangling over same sex marriage, regionalization and governance reforms, against the UMC doctrine.
Quite recently, the Conference United Methodist Women (CUMW) denounced the leadership of Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr., over decisions reached at the 2024 General Conference.
“The United Methodist Church is no longer at the crossroad, rather it has ‘crossed the road’. We the women of the church must speak out and stand up,” the CUMW said, warning, “No amount of suspension, fear, or intimidation will stop us from speaking out and standing up for the truth.”
Between April to May 2024, delegates from the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, voted 692-51 to repeal the church’s longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy, marking a significant shift in the church’s policy.
As it stands, the Liberian Constitution does not allow “same sex” practices. The acceptance of such marriage by the General Conference in the United States, of the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and precisely the Liberian chapter, have had serious crises and different confrontations which continue to divide the Church due to such decision.